![Road Trip to Afan @ Afan Bike Park | Port Talbot | Wales | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/14567600_10154498381644002_3829867030119751325_o.jpg?fit=300%2C200)
Its been 3 years since i was last there and now its time to visit again. This is an awesome place to visit with some serious trails worth riding. Some tough hill climbs, but with rewarding descents.
Current weather forecast is for showers, but this is Wales, so make sure you bring waterproofs! A helmet is also essential.
![Swinley Forest - the Good Bits @ Swinley Forest | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/IMG_4092.jpg?fit=300%2C135)
There are some great spots of riding at Swinley, but if you stick strictly to the Blue and Red trails you’ll a) miss some great off-piste stuff and b) have to churn through some really dull miles to get to the good bits!
So this ride is to show you the best bits – starting on the Blue trail, but then picking up some of the off-piste used on the recent Enduro race to connect up to the best of Red. That will take us to the bottom far east corner, where the downhill trials are as well and after a play in that area, we will take a more leisurely ride to pick up the fabulous Tank Traps section, before ending with the best of Blue to take us back to the hub. Should be 20 miles in total.
This ride contains blue and red graded trails, so bare that in mind – it’s Swinley not the Alps, but the bits of red we will be doing are definitely red grade.
See you at the entrance to the Blue trail at 10am.
As I’m going to be at Swinley, I thought it would be a good opportunity to re-run the popular “Swinley’s Best Bits” ride. This is an action packed 10 miles & it really does pack in lots. Starting on the Blue trail we follow that till the point it gets dull, then go off piste on a section of the Enduro course, before picking up the best of Red to the downhill trails. Our highlight there is the old full Labrynth, but scope to do a few of the other DH trails in that corner too.
The we hit Red 25 on the way to back via the Tank Traps and the final ace descent of Blue.
If you want a bit more info on the route, check out our report
here, otherwise come and see for yourself 🙂
Meet at the entrance to the trails at Swinley for a 10.30 start.
![Swinley's Best Bits @ Swinley Forest | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/img_4092.jpg?fit=300%2C135)
This a re-runaid our popular “Swinley’s Best Bits” ride. This is an action packed 10 miles & it really does pack in lots. Starting on the Blue trail we follow that till the point it gets dull, then go off piste on a section of the Enduro course, before picking up the best of Red to the downhill trails. Our highlight there is the old full Labrynth, but scope to do a few of the other DH trails in that corner too.
The we hit Red 25 on the way to back via the Tank Traps and the final ace descent of Blue.
If you want a bit more info on the route, check out our report
here, otherwise come and see for yourself 🙂
Meet at the entrance to the trails at Swinley for a 10am start.
We’re going to be camping down at the excellent Sparkhayes campsite in Porlock – just round the corner from both the town and from the beach.
The campsite has electric hook ups, a shower/toilet block with washing up facilities, a kettle and small microwave. There is also a communal fridge and freezer.
The cost is £9 per person per night, with an additional £4 a night for the electric hook up.
Let us know if you want to stay and we’ll do a group booking – we will be there from the Friday night to set up as well, but people are welcome to join on the Friday night or Saturday morning.
Don’t forget the Saturday and Sunday rides that are part of the weekend.
![Exmoor Explore - Lets go to the sea @ Porlock Weir | Porlock Weir | England | United Kingdom](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DSC_0001.jpg?fit=300%2C200)
![Lydiard Park Family Picnic @ Lydiard Park](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/52082377_1986080404823195_6151179086757625856_n.jpg?fit=300%2C169)
We would like to invite everyone and their families to celebrate the start of the summer.
We will meet at the children’s play area at 11am, find a good picnic spot nearby and enjoy some family time, playing games such as rounders, football, frisbee and anything else we can find in the shed!!!! We will be close to the play area, cafe, toilets and most importantly the ice cream parlour!!!
Bringing bikes is optional. We will be there to take small groups around the outside of the park, if required.
Most importantly we want everyone to come together to have some family fun.
Don’t forget to bring a picnic and a picnic blanket and/or chairs to sit on.
![MTB Wellness Wednesday @ The Bayberry](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_2149-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225)
Wednesdays have always been a relaxed beginners ride and we’re continuing that in 2020, but specifically aiming at getting you going.
So this is the perfect ride if you are just starting, coming back to riding after a break or just want to go for a pedal to lift your spirits.
The ride theme is Wellness. There are main reasons to ride – fitness, physical and mental health – but they’re all about making yourself feel better and having fun 🙂
We will been doing a gentle pace and there will be lots of opportunities for having a chat and asking about anything MTB related. I am a MIAS Level 3 Ride Leader and skills coach and am always happy to answer any questions – if I don’t know the answer, I’ll know who to ask 🙂
Rides will be about 10km and fairly flat. Nothing technical, mainly using cycle paths (especially in the winter weather!). Perfect for all abilities.
All you need is a helmet and bike (and at this time of year, lights as well).
Meet in the Bayberry car park for 6pm start.
![May Weekender 2020 - Exmoor @ Porlock](https://i0.wp.com/swindonmtbenthusiasts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_0264.jpg?fit=300%2C225)